Conference presentation
Equity, access, and innovation in the online learning space: A shift towards Open Educational Resources
SCU Scholarship of Learning and Teaching Symposium (Online, 10/11/2020 - 12/11/2020)
12/11/2020
Metrics
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Abstract
This presentation provides an alternative, equity-based model for prescribing and providing textbooks and readings to students. This model involves a move away from the current model of prescribed texts (PT) and financially unsustainable e-book licenses, to a new model based on freely available Open Educational Resources (OERs). This model aims to reduce the financial burden on students and improve their learning outcomes.
Attrition among first year low socio-economic status (low SES), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and first-in-family students is higher than average. Students at SCU in these equity groups comprise up to 45% of the student body where attrition can rise to 27%, meaning more than a quarter of equity students who start their undergraduate degree, fail to complete their first year. Students financial situation can present a significant challenge to retention (Breier, 2010). Although many universities maintain a vision adhering to principles regarding social justice, equity and social inclusion, these do not always filter down to practical strategies supporting equity-based students (Gale & Tranter, 2011). A 2018 study found that 64% of students studying in an online environment did not purchase their textbook (Donaldson et al., 2019).
This session, an OER textbook was offered as an alternative to the PT in week three in a first-year SCU unit. The existing PT, published by Cambridge, was co-authored by the unit assessor herself. A survey among the students in weeks 5 9 highlighted that one third of the respondents had not accessed the PT at all. They cited financial cost, and difficulty accessing the PT via a library, as the main barriers. However, more than two thirds of the respondents had used the OER, citing that aside from being free, they experienced the OER text as equitable, accessible, portable, and having great content . All respondents had used either one, or both texts. According to unit protocol, students are not penalised for referring to the OER in lieu of the PT. What has transpired, furthermore, is that assignments that cite the OER in lieu of the PT are not of discernible lower quality.
These results, although limited in scale and scope so far, suggest that OER texts offer practical, flexible and equitable resources that suitably support student learning. What is a given, however, is that those students who had not and in the immediate future were not likely to access their PT, now do access a scholarly textbook of good quality, supporting their learning and engagement.
Details
- Title
- Equity, access, and innovation in the online learning space: A shift towards Open Educational Resources
- Creators
- Mieke Witsel - Southern Cross UniversityCarlie Nekrasov - Southern Cross UniversityMarin Simpson - Southern Cross UniversityMarty Williams - Southern Cross UniversityJo Munn - Southern Cross University
- Conference
- SCU Scholarship of Learning and Teaching Symposium (Online, 10/11/2020 - 12/11/2020)
- Identifiers
- 991013135808802368
- Academic Unit
- Centre for Teaching and Learning; Library Services
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference presentation
- Local Fields
- Evidence Based Practice - SoLT